Keepers of Our Republic

Keep Our Republic

Keepers of the Republic is a new podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Through thoughtful conversations with election officials, county clerks, legal experts, and retired federal judges, we explore how elections are really run, separate fact from fiction, and highlight why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic.  At a time of uncertainty and misinformation, Keepers of the Republic provides trusted, nonpartisan insights into how our democracy works—and how, together, we can keep it strong.

  1. 3d ago

    What Really Happened in Georgia? GA’s Controverisal Elections Explained

    On this episode of Keepers of the Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Ryan Germany, former General Counsel to the Georgia Secretary of State, to discuss election administration, election litigation, and the forces shaping public trust in American elections. Germany shares what he learned working through some of Georgia’s most contested elections, including how claims of voter suppression, election fraud, and voting machine vulnerabilities can shape public perceptions. He explains the complex work behind election administration, from voter registration systems and election technology to the county officials and poll workers responsible for making elections run smoothly.  Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  2. Oct 8

    “We Were Off by 4 Votes”: What 567k Ballots Taught This Veteran Election Director

    Michael Dickerson has run elections in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, for 28 years. In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, he takes us inside one of the country’s largest local election offices—how early voting transformed elections, what it took to run the 2020 election during COVID, and what happens when 567,000 ballots have to be recounted. He also explains the layers of security and preparation behind every election, the challenges of managing a growing county with 850,000+ registered voters, and why the people who show up to run elections are ultimately what keep the system working. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  3. Sep 17

    Missouri’s Redistricting Chaos: How Did We Get Here (And What Happens Next?)

    Missouri’s congressional redistricting fight has taken a series of unexpected turns, with state and federal courts weighing in on which map will be used in the upcoming election. In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Brooke Bergen is joined by Eric Fey, Director of the St. Louis County Board of Elections, and Brianna Lennon, Boone County Clerk, to unpack the complicated legal battle over Missouri’s new congressional map, the state’s citizen referendum process, and the recent decisions involving the Missouri Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Eighth Circuit.  This is a developing situation, and the episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people tasked with running elections while the legal questions remain unresolved. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  4. Sep 3

    “It Takes All of Us” How Asheville's Elections Director Weathered Helene

    What happens when a major disaster strikes just weeks before an election?  In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Corinne Duncan, Election Services Director for Buncombe County, North Carolina, to discuss what it takes to run elections in the face of unexpected challenges. Corinne shares how her team navigated the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated Asheville and Buncombe County just weeks before the 2024 election, from losing power and communications to adapting early voting and relying on relationships with emergency management, fire departments, law enforcement, and other county partners Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  5. Aug 27

    “We Don’t Just Turn It On and Hope for the Best”: Election Security & Trust in Union County, NC

    In this episode of Keepers of Our Republic, host Tate Fall sits down with Philip Hinson, Deputy Director of Elections for Union County, North Carolina, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to run a secure election. From testing voting equipment and protecting election infrastructure to responding when the power goes out at a polling place, Philip explains the layers of preparation, security, and oversight that voters may never see. He also breaks down how logic and accuracy testing, bipartisan review, post-election audits, chain-of-custody procedures, and physical security work together to protect the election process. Philip also shares how Union County uses ballot-on-demand technology to make sure voters receive the correct ballot—and how seemingly small security features can add another layer of protection. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: elections don't just happen. They take planning, testing, transparency, and thousands of people working together to make sure voters can have confidence that their ballots are counted as intended. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  6. Aug 20

    Should Judges Be Elected? A Conversation with Former Texas Chief Justice Phillips

    Most Americans are familiar with the U.S. Supreme Court—but far fewer understand how state courts operate or why many states elect their judges. This week, attorney Brooke Bergen sits down with Tom Phillips, retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, for a conversation about the unique role state courts play in our constitutional system. Judge Phillips explains how judges interpret the law, the differences between state and federal courts, and the advantages and challenges of electing judges. The conversation also explores how campaign spending can affect public confidence in the judiciary, why courts are increasingly being asked to resolve issues left to the political branches, and how judges can help strengthen public understanding of the rule of law. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

  7. Aug 13

    How America's Largest Election Offices Build Trust

    What does it take to administer elections for more than 858,000 registered voters? This week, host Tate Fall sits down with Olivia McCall, Director of Elections for Wake County, North Carolina, to discuss the logistics, leadership, and transparency required to oversee one of the largest election operations in the state. Olivia shares how she found her career in election administration, what it takes to prepare hundreds of polling places and thousands of election workers, and why public outreach is just as important as election-day operations. She also discusses Wake County's award-winning media partnership program, which helps reporters accurately communicate election procedures before misinformation can take hold. From staffing and voter education to planning for rapid population growth, this conversation offers an inside look at the people and processes that make elections work. At Keep Our Republic, we believe that strengthening trust in elections starts with helping people understand how they work. Through conversations with election officials, judges, and civic leaders, Keepers of Our Republic highlights the dedicated public servants who make our democracy possible. Welcome back to Keepers of our Republic, a new weekly podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy.  Every week, Keepers of Our Republic features thoughtful conversations with election administrators and retired federal judges. We explore how elections are really run, discuss why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic, and separate fact from fiction in a fast-changing world.  Learn more about Keep Our Republic, a nonpartisan nonprofit, at our website, https://keepourrepublic.org Follow Us on Social Media: X https://x.com/keep_republic Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurRepublicAction/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/keepourrepublic/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/keepourrepublic/

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Keepers of the Republic is a new podcast from Keep Our Republic that takes listeners inside the institutions at the heart of American democracy. Through thoughtful conversations with election officials, county clerks, legal experts, and retired federal judges, we explore how elections are really run, separate fact from fiction, and highlight why an independent judiciary is essential to a strong republic.  At a time of uncertainty and misinformation, Keepers of the Republic provides trusted, nonpartisan insights into how our democracy works—and how, together, we can keep it strong.

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